Page 43 of Bragg's Love

“Oh, he’s definitely a scaredy-cat when it comes to Eden,” Elder says and I snap my teeth at him.

“What?” He bats his eyelashes. “I can’t help it you’re afraid to seal the deal with Eden.”

“Hold on,” Peace says as he joins us on the porch of Elder’s house. “I thought Miller and Eden were kissing in his office at the brewery.”

My body tightens at the memory of having Eden in my arms. Of feeling her lips on mine. Of devouring her mouth. I was ready to lay her down on Miller’s desk and have my wicked way with her when my twin stormed into the room.

“First of all, it was my office. Second, they weren’t merely kissing. Nope. Miller was attempting to eat Eden whole.”

I growl at Elder. “Stop telling everyone my business.”

He hides behind Brody. “If you don’t want me telling everyone your business, you shouldn’t make out with your girlfriend in my office.”

I stalk toward my twin. “Make out? What are we? Twelve?”

Brody holds up his hands. “I’m innocent. Please don’t hurt me because my brother feels the need to hide behind my massive presence.”

I snort. “Massive presence? Do you not own a mirror?”

He puffs up his chest. “I’ll have you know I’ve been doing push-ups.”

“He did a sum total of five,” Elder rats on him.

“Sum and total mean the same thing. Sum total is repetitive,” Brody says.

“The terminology doesn’t change the truth. You could barely manage five push-ups,” Elder says.

I open my mouth to lambast them for discussing push-ups when I’m in the middle of an argument with Elder but stop myself when I realize this is perfect. I don’t need my brothers’ attention on me and Eden.

Eden. She thinks I pity her. The last thing I do is pity her. Wanting to lay her down on my bed, undress her, and taste every inch of her skin is worshiping her, not pitying.

But I need to be sneaky. The little hippie with bare feet and pink streaks in her hair can’t notice me coming or she’ll run in the other direction. Unless she’s cornered. Excellent idea. I smirk.

Elder snaps his fingers in my face. “He’s thinking about Eden.”

I bat his hand away. “Knock it off. How old are you?”

“Same age as you or did you forget we’re twins?”

Peace sighs. “I thought we were playing poker tonight.”

Brody and Riley burst out laughing.

“He thought,” Riley begins.

“We were,” Brody continues.

“Playing poker,” they end in unison.

“I’ve never had siblings before, but I’m going to say it.” Peace pauses. “Those twins can’t be normal.”

Riley and Brody high-five. “Normal is for losers,” Brody declares.

“It’s a good thing there isn’t a psych evaluation to become a resident of Winter Falls,” Peace mutters.

Brody lifts his chin. “I can pass a psych eval with my eyes closed.”

“What does…” Peace clears his throat. “Never mind. Who’s ready to get their ass whipped in poker?”

---